Mapping the Brain and Its Functions Integrating Enabling Technologies into Neuroscience Research (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Within the range of potentially beneficial strategies, the greater use of computer and information technology in neuroscience research holds particular promise. This report synthesizes the deliberations of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on a National Neural Circuitry Database, which was formed at the request of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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These efforts have often led to far-reaching changes in the style of scientific research that call for new governmental policies regarding the conduct of research in this country and abroad. Within this context, and with an overall purpose of increasing the resources available to the neuroscience community, this committee has sought to · formulate a position on the requirements for and appropriateness of establishing a family of electronic and digital resources for basic and clinical neuroscience that would allow optimal data communication and sharing among investigators; · consider the scope and elements of data that would constitute these resources and determine strategies for representing the diverse data types generated by neuroscientists; · consider data storage, retrieval, and sharing schemes of existing national databases to identify successful strategies and potential pitfalls for the possible establishment of computerized resources for neuroscience; · describe the optimal organization of a family of computerized resources so that it can be efficiently established and coordinated for research use by the neuroscience research community, clinical investigators, clinicians, students, and educators; and · provide recommendations to NIMH, NIDA, and NSF on future directions in program development with respect to establishing such electronic and digital resources.
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Based on input obtained through a variety of means, as well as on its own deliberations, the committee considers it necessary to establish a formal Brain Mapping Initiative to coordinate the valuable efforts of individual neuroscientists in such a way that new discoveries occur with greater speed and efficiency. The Brain Mapping Initiative is meant to subsume all the proposed aspects of a National Neural Circuitry Database.
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Enhancing research into vision with these electronic tools promises to help ameliorate visual deficits caused by injury and to increase the range of treatments available for a number of diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal degeneration, as well as blindness from other causes. Substance abuse: The search for the biology of se/f-destruction A large fraction of the U.S.
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Neuroscientists have also begun to pay close attention to those areas of the brain that mediate not only the normal pleasurable experiences of eating and socialization but the motivating, often pleasurable, drug effects that can lead to psychological addiction. The complexity of these brain areas, however, greatly complicates the investigations.
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A broad range of professionals are often involved; thus, the responsibility for pain management may shift as a patient is moved from the operating room, to recovery, to a postsurgery ward. A database that related clinical observations to an integrated picture of relevant basic scientific data would be of great value in pain management, especially if it were combined with a repository of treatment and diagnostic strategies and their documented outcomes.
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Nearly 23 million Americans suffer from head and spinal cord injuries, hearing and speech disorders, or infectious diseases of the nervous system. More than 3.5 million people suffer from Alzheimer's, Huntington's, or Parkinson's disease, or from other degenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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The committee believes that a Brain Mapping Initiative, by enhancing the process of discovery and the communication of new insights in neuroscience, can help to maximize the benefits gained from the present investment of national resources. Computer and Information Technology in Biomedical and Neuroscience Research In the committee's opinion, a complex of electronic resources that will enhance neuroscience research is an attainable goal.
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Other prominent scientific databases are the protein sequence and genome databases developed by a variety of institutions and individuals, which are being used in the efforts to map the human genome. The need for databases for neuroscience information is great, and the systems are beginning to emerge.
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In addition, the committee commissioned two background papers: one traced the development and current uses of genome and related scientific databases, and the other investigated the Defense Mapping Agency's experience in converting cartographic data to digital formats. Participants in these activities reflected a wide range of backgrounds and expertise including library management, scientific database administration and design, computer science, and neuroscience research.
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Rather, a complex of electronic and digital resources should be developed to include separate databases with varied levels of accessibility. This complex should be composed of reference databases, data banks, informal databases, national and international registries, research collaboration databases, and specialty databases.
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The task forces also supported the concept that university tenure committees should consider certain types of data sharing, particularly of peer-reviewed data, as evidence of professional competence, comparable to journal publication and teaching evaluations. The committee was further encouraged to examine the policies developed recently by some journals devoted to gene mapping and gene and protein sequencing for deposit of data into established databases.
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The Brain Mapping Initiative: Committee Recommendations After considering the opinions expressed and the input received through its activities and during its own deliberations, the committee concluded that an environment of opportunity now exists to enhance neuroscience research by a more global incorporation of computer and information technologies. Considering past experiences in other scientific disciplines, however, it is also apparent that to ensure the greatest benefit from these technologies, they should be incorporated with care and with a clear vision of the intended goal.
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The Brain Mapping Initiative is meant to include features that were originally proposed for a National Neural Circuitry Database, although the new initiative, unlike the earlier project, would not be a single-entity database. Rather, the Brain Mapping Initiative would lead to the establishment of a complex of interrelated, integrated databases accessible from individual laboratories.
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In terms of technical developments, the overall goals of the pilot project program would be the following: · Develop electronic data collection and storage methods for data types at each level of the neural hierarchy. · Identify the kinds of data, level of resolution, and experimental information necessary to facilitate new insights and stimulate research.
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The panel would be responsible for the overall direction, evaluation, and coordination of consortia and for the development of necessary policies relating to establishment of a brain mapping effort. The committee also recommends that the Advisory Panel be responsible for consideration and development of editorial functions and policies relating to the ethical and sociological issues that will arise, including, but not limited to, correctness of information and quality control, intellectual property rights, rights to privacy, and freedom of information.
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In the committee's opinion, one of the best ways to achieve such goals is to develop edited archives and databases. The committee recommends that the phase 1 and 2 projects of the Brain Mapping Initiative maintain a close relationship with the gene mapping and sequencing community and the Human Genome Project, and with other scientific computing efforts, including network initiatives such as NSFNET and the proposed National Research and Education Network.
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The proposed organization of the Brain Mapping Initiative, especially the inclusion of an advisory panel and computer scientists, will not fit well into the usual funding structures administered by the NIH Division of Research Grants. To be successful, the proposed phase 1 projects require the involvement of multiple components of the federal biomedical research complex, as well as communication and cooperation among appropriate agencies of the Public Health Service, the Departments of Defense and Energy, and private foundations that fund biomedical science.
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biomedical research effort and recognizes the view held by many scientists that large-scale projects pose a threat to the basic research enterprise. The committee believes, however, that the Brain Mapping Initiative is an important project that should be undertaken and that it could begin with an additional allocation of approximately $10 million annually, with an overall evaluation to occur at the end of five years.
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